The history of Medea's place in Greco-Roman literature is long and complex. For Valerius' Flavian readers that history extended back some eight centuries and included works in two languages and a multiplicity of genres: epic and tragedy, lyric and elegy. Complex too is Medea's biography, for her roles include Jason's virgin-lover in Colchis, murderous wife in Iolcus, abandoned mother in Corinth, poisonous stepmother in Athens, potential filicide in Colchis and even wife of Achilles in the underworld. But of these six episodes two stand out: the epic story of the princess who helps the foreign hero and the tragic tale of the woman who kills her sons.
History
Publication title
Brill's Companion to Valerius Flaccus
Editors
M Heerink and G Manuwald
Pagination
432
ISBN
9789004278653
Department/School
School of Humanities
Publisher
Brill
Place of publication
Leiden
Extent
20
Rights statement
Copyright 2014 Koninklijke Brill NV
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Expanding knowledge in philosophy and religious studies